12/2/21
Pilot/Controller Glossary
VISUAL APPROACH
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An approach conducted on
an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan which
authorizes the pilot to proceed visually and clear of
clouds to the airport. The pilot must, at all times, have
either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight.
This approach must be authorized and under the
control of the appropriate air traffic control facility.
Reported weather at the airport must be: ceiling at or
above 1,000 feet, and visibility of 3 miles or greater.
(See ICAO term VISUAL APPROACH.)
VISUAL APPROACH [ICAO]
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An approach by an
IFR flight when either part or all of an instrument
approach procedure is not completed and the
approach is executed in visual reference to terrain.
VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR
(VASI)
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(See AIRPORT LIGHTING.)
VISUAL CLIMB OVER AIRPORT (VCOA)
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A
departure option for an IFR aircraft, operating in
visual meteorological conditions equal to or greater
than the specified visibility and ceiling, to visually
conduct climbing turns over the airport to the
published “climb
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to” altitude from which to proceed
with the instrument portion of the departure. VCOA
procedures are developed to avoid obstacles greater
than 3 statute miles from the departure end of the
runway as an alternative to complying with climb
gradients greater than 200 feet per nautical mile.
Pilots are responsible to advise ATC as early as
possible of the intent to fly the VCOA option prior to
departure. These textual procedures are published in
the ‘Take
−
Off Minimums and (Obstacle) Departure
Procedures’ section of the Terminal Procedures
Publications and/or appear as an option on a Graphic
ODP.
(See AIM.)
VISUAL DESCENT POINT
−
A defined point on the
final approach course of a nonprecision straight-in
approach procedure from which normal descent from
the MDA to the runway touchdown point may be
commenced, provided the approach threshold of that
runway, or approach lights, or other markings
identifiable with the approach end of that runway are
clearly visible to the pilot.
VISUAL FLIGHT RULES
−
Rules that govern the
procedures for conducting flight under visual
conditions. The term “VFR” is also used in the
United States to indicate weather conditions that are
equal to or greater than minimum VFR requirements.
In addition, it is used by pilots and controllers to
indicate type of flight plan.
(See INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES.)
(See INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL
CONDITIONS.)
(See VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL
CONDITIONS.)
(Refer to 14 CFR Part 91.)
(Refer to AIM.)
VISUAL HOLDING
−
The holding of aircraft at
selected, prominent geographical fixes which can be
easily recognized from the air.
(See HOLDING FIX.)
VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
−
Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of
visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling equal to or
better than specified minima.
(See INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES.)
(See INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL
CONDITIONS.)
(See VISUAL FLIGHT RULES.)
VISUAL OBSERVER (VO)
−
A person who is
designated by the remote pilot in command to assist
the remote pilot in command and the person
operating the flight controls of the small UAS
(sUAS) to see and avoid other air traffic or objects
aloft or on the ground.
VISUAL SEGMENT
−
(See PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH
PROCEDURE VISUAL SEGMENT.)
VISUAL SEPARATION
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A means employed by
ATC to separate aircraft in terminal areas and en route
airspace in the NAS. There are two ways to effect this
separation:
a.
The tower controller sees the aircraft involved
and issues instructions, as necessary, to ensure that
the aircraft avoid each other.
b.
A pilot sees the other aircraft involved and upon
instructions from the controller provides his/her own
separation by maneuvering his/her aircraft as
necessary to avoid it. This may involve following
another aircraft or keeping it in sight until it is no
longer a factor.
(See SEE AND AVOID.)
(Refer to 14 CFR Part 91.)
VLF
−
(See VERY LOW FREQUENCY.)
PCG V
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